Latest / Antisemitism Watch / Antisemitism Watch - September 20, 2026, 05 PM Eastern

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Antisemitism Watch - September 20, 2026, 05 PM Eastern · Antisemitism Watch

• 0:06
  Speaker 1: You're listening to Antisemitism Watch. I'm Rachel Adler. We begin
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  Speaker 1: with deeply concerning reports of plots and direct threats. The
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  Speaker 1: FBI has revealed an affidavit detailing a plot by 21-year-old
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  Speaker 1: Jonathan Kramer of Valencia, Pennsylvania, to poison food in synagogues
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  Speaker 1: and grocery stores with ricin or cyanide. According to FBI
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  Speaker 1: Special Agent in Charge Richard Ivanchek, this was part of
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  Speaker 1: a broader plan for mass violence, including discussions of chemical poisons, arson,
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  Speaker 1: vehicle attacks, and firearm assaults, inspired by the Islamic State group.
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  Speaker 1: Kramer had secured a rifle and approximately 190 rounds of
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  Speaker 1: ammunition for what he called his mission, as reported by
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  Speaker 1: CBS News. The Justice Department stated Kramer was arrested in
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  Speaker 1: Pennsylvania and charged with receiving a firearm and ammunition for
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  Speaker 1: use in terrorism. The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh has
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  Speaker 1: indicated it remains in close contact with law enforcement regarding
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  Speaker 1: the specifics of this case. In a separate development, the
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  Speaker 1: Secure Community Network, or SCN, has applauded the FBI and
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  Speaker 1: its partners for arresting an individual charged, with sending at
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  Speaker 1: least five interstate antisemitic threat letters targeting Jewish individuals, organizations,
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  Speaker 1: and facilities in South Florida. SCN National Director and CEO
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  Speaker 1: Michael Masters stated that the arrest has removed a real
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  Speaker 1: threat from our streets. highlighting the importance of collaboration and
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  Speaker 1: information sharing. Elsewhere, police are investigating vandalism in Wethersfield and
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  Speaker 1: Rocky Hill, Connecticut. Wethersfield police reported finding antisemitic, racial, and
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  Speaker 1: explicit sexual images, including a swastika, on at least six
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  Speaker 1: locations in one neighborhood. Similar vandalism was reported in Rocky Hill,
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  Speaker 1: and authorities believe the incidents are connected. Turning to politics
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  Speaker 1: and media, Comedian Bill Maher renewed his criticism of rapper Macklemore.
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  Speaker 1: Maher discussed a 2014 costume controversy where Macklemore wore an
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  Speaker 1: outfit accused of being an anti-Semitic caricature, an incident for
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  Speaker 1: which Macklemore later apologized. Maher also criticized Macklemore's recent pro-Palestinian
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  Speaker 1: speech at a concert, calling the characterization of the Gaza
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  Speaker 1: war as genocide a lie. This follows Macklemore's removal from
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  Speaker 1: Ed Sheeran's tour, with Macklemore stating Robert Kraft, owner of
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  Speaker 1: Gillette Stadium, barred him from performing due to the remarks.
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  Speaker 1: Maher further critiqued musicians using concerts for political lectures. Reports
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  Speaker 1: also indicate that according to some Michigan Republican consultants, Tucker
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  Speaker 1: Carlson's stance on Israel is linked to classic anti-Semitic ideas. Meanwhile,
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  Speaker 1: questions are being raised about whether former New York Governor
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  Speaker 1: Andrew Cuomo will confront fellow Democrats within his party who
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  Speaker 1: accuse Israel of genocide. Internationally, New Zealand's Electoral Commission has
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  Speaker 1: registered a new single-issue party for the upcoming national election,
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  Speaker 1: the Palestine Free from the River to the Sea Party.
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  Speaker 1: This slogan is widely viewed as antisemitic for denying Jewish self-determination.
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  Speaker 1: Juliet Moses, quoted by the Australia Jewish Review, noted that
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  Speaker 1: opposition parties like the Green Party and its co-leader Chloe
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  Speaker 1: Swarbrick present a different picture, with Swarbrick described as adamantly
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  Speaker 1: anti-Israel and and unwilling to engage with Jewish community members
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  Speaker 1: who are not anti-Zionist. Reflecting the overall climate, Jewish communities
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  Speaker 1: are increasingly building fortified structures guarded by armed police, a
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  Speaker 1: response to heightened security threat levels driven by abusive or
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  Speaker 1: antisemitic literature recorded in the first half of 2026. Rabbi Dr.
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  Speaker 1: Bernhard Rosenberg, son of Holocaust survivors, has urged Jews to
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  Speaker 1: arm ourselves to the teeth and travel in groups, stating
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  Speaker 1: that stringent self-defense is essential in the face of rising threats,
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  Speaker 1: and advising avoidance of perceived hostile academic institutions. He also
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  Speaker 1: suggested potential funding for those wishing harm to Israel may
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  Speaker 1: come from states seeking to harm Jewish existence. I'm Rachel Adler.
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  Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch. Follow Antisemitism Watch
• 4:18
  Speaker 1: in your podcast app so you don't miss the next update.
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  Speaker 1: This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies.
• 4:26
  Speaker 1: Please verify important details with primary sources.